Travel Guide - Around Barcelona

El Ensanche / L'Eixample

This part of Barcelona is made up of the city’s modern center, built between 1870 and 1936, joining the old Barcelona (Ciutat Vella) with the surrounding villages. The architect who designed this part of the city with its rectangular style was Cerdá and it was his idea to create a luxurious district for the bourgeoisie. Barcelona was thus enlarged to five times its initial size.

The most famous structures are those designed and built by Antoní Gaudi, such as Park Güell and Palacio Güell, the immense Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Casa Amatler de Puigi Cadalfach and the Casa de los Punxes.

The Plaza de Cataluña is probably the central most square in El Ensanche, and has dimensions that are comparable to the Vatican City. Discover the Paseig de Gràcia, a bizarre boulevard with strange benches and banana trees – adding to Barcelona’s quirky charm.

Come to Spain and take a look at these unique architectural landmarks yourself while learning Spanish in Barcelona with a Spanish Language Course.